NEWS
TXST RESEARCH DATABASES IMPACTED BY FEDERAL CUTS PAGE 2
LIFE & ARTS
SPORTS
ALUMNA STARS IN FEATURE FILM
TENNIS LOOKS AHEAD TO SPRING
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TUESDAY
November 11, 2025 VOLUME 115 ISSUE 14
SOCCER
TXST WINS FIRST CONFERENCE TITLE SINCE 2011, HEAD TO WACO
By Adrian Ramirez Sports Editor
For the first time since 2011 and since joining the Sun Belt, the Texas State soccer team sits atop its conference after a victorious run in the Sun Belt Conference tournament. After a heartbreaking loss to James Madison in the 2024 Sun Belt Conference tournament championship match, the Bobcats finished the job this year with a 1-0 victory over the University of Louisiana–Monroe to
earn the Sun Belt’s automatic qualifier bid to The Bobcats posted a 3-2-2 record in their the NCAA tournament. out-of-conference slate. Notable outcomes for the squad included draws against Texas A&M Regular season: and #19 Oklahoma, along with dominant Texas State finished the season 10-3-7 performances against in-state opponents after its run through the Sun Belt Conference Incarnate Word and Stephen F. Austin. tournament. Throughout the season, the SEE NCAA PAGE 7 Bobcats battled a tough slate of out-ofconference opponents, including Texas A&M, TXST women’s soccer team jumps into Sewell Arizona State, Baylor and nationally-ranked to celebrate winning the Sun Belt Conference, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 in San Marcos. Oklahoma. AYDEN OREDSON | ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
UNIVERSITY
CITY
Shutdown may delay FAFSA applications, work-study By Arabella DiChristina Assistant News Editor
Animal shelter seeks community aid to combat overcrowding issue
MEG BOLES | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
River, a 2-year-old terrier pit bull mix, is available for adoption, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in the San Marcos Animal Shelter. River is described as a sweet and gentle dog, he is crate-trained, potty-trained and can walk well on a leash. By Lesdy Hernandez Senior News Reporter
The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter (SMRAS) is asking the community for help as it reaches full capacity and faces severe overcrowding issues once again. In 2024, according to the animal services 2024 annual report, the shelter took in 2,107 dogs, 1,755 cats and another 210 various wildlife intakes. Since summer 2022, the shelter saw an influx of animals, causing a
continuous overcrowding problem. Minnie Buckhaults, community engagement coordinator for the SMRAS, said with only 93 dog kennels available in the facility, the shelter has resorted to using pop-up crates as a temporary alternative housing option during this over-capacity period. “Last week, when I checked the numbers, we had about 14 dogs in pop-up crates in our Sally Port Area, and that’s not counting the dogs that are housed in our office, that are housed in our front
adoption lobby, that are housed in areas that they’re technically not supposed to be housed in,” Buckhaults said. The shelter takes in more than 20-50 animals per week, ranging from dogs to other wildlife animals. According to Buckhaults, as of Nov. 3, the shelter reported having about 130 dogs in the facility, with over 35-40 animals being housed in the alternative pop-up crates.
SEE ANIMALS PAGE 3
Due to the record-breaking government shutdown there could be delayed work-study payments and delayed application processes for financial aid. The federal government shutdown started on Oct. 1 when the U.S. Congress failed to pass a funding bill, causing a pause in funding to federal facilities and lapsed programs. This resulted in employees being fired or temporarily laid off. On Nov. 9, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to reopen the government through Jan. 30, 2026. The bill is pending House approval. Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management Gary Ray wrote in an email to The Star that there are currently no delays in awarding federal financial aid, state aid and institutional scholarships for Texas State University. “Texas State has been monitoring the shutdown since it began. Enrollment Management has sent an update to key [Texas State] offices so we could provide the latest information to students,” Ray wrote. Ray wrote that delays in processing and distributing work-study funds are expected if the shutdown continues into the next semester.
SEE FINANCIAL AID PAGE 3
EVENT
TXST captures spotlight at annual Austin Film Festival By Cady Clements Life and Arts Reporter
Lights flashed and energy buzzed through the crowded auditorium at the Austin Film Festival (AFF) as students and seasoned filmmakers found their seats for the next film. Five standout films made by Texas State students, alumni and faculty earned spots in the 2025 AFF lineup,
held Oct. 23–30. From intimate family dramas to vibrant dance stories and moments of human connection, each film showed what Texas State film stands for with personal, grounded storytelling shaped by the hands-on, collaborative energy of Texas State’s film program.
CADY CLEMENTS | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
SEE FILMS PAGE 6
“Leads” director Bryan Poyser (left) and his daughter Hazel Poyser (center) pose with the film’s poster at its premiere, Sunday, October 26, 2025, at the 32rd annual Austin Film Festival.